Brother Alis last album, the critically acclaimed, The Undisputed Truth, was a landmark in hip-hop, an album that carried weight equally with critics and fans alike, an album of bold statements and bolder beats, politically and socially aware without being preachy. His new album, Us (09.22.09) (Rhymesayers Entertainment), is a progression that will make Brother Ali one of the most enduring figures in hip-hop; while still aware, Ali has turned his gaze inward, and started examining the human condition from the outside in. A profound personal glimpse into a vulnerability seldom seen or heard in music, Us touches on the strengths and flaws of the human condition, exploring drug abuse, divorce, homophobia and many more topics that most people are scared to touch in their own lives, much less on an album for the world to see.

As with previous endeavors, the beats here are courtesy of Ant, whose production work seems to be getting more soulful and lush by the minute. The guest appearances only accentuate Brother Alis strengths, with Chuck D, Freeway, Joell Ortiz and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition making strong appearances.

In support of the new album, Ali is embarking on a North American tour of epic proportions, enlisting the help of labelmates and collaborators Evidence (of Dilated Peoples, recently signed to Rhymesayers), BK One & Toki Wright.

Joined: 07 Aug 2003
Posts: 5457
Location: the chocolate city with a marshmallow center and a graham cracker crust of corruption

might hit up the bmore show but i'm realizing as i'm getting older i've realized the chance of me going to a show i have to drive more than 30 minutes to are getting less and less.

Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:50 pm

A.Steele

Joined: 05 Nov 2008
Posts: 149
Location: northeast mpls

def pumped about the chuck d guest spot.

Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:17 pm

AdamBomb

Joined: 05 Mar 2004
Posts: 3183
Location: Louisiana

Pumped about this LP. Ali has been consistently good on all his releases.

Side note:
Are people scared to come to New Orleans or what? I know we got a lot of underground hip hop heads here, so I'm confused why so many acts give us the cold shoulder on the tour schedule.

At least we can see Better than Ezra anytime we want - ponder that.

Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:02 pm

Travadone

Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 2977
Location: LI(f)E SUCKS (The Album)

AdamBomb wrote: Pumped about this LP. Ali has been consistently good on all his releases.

Side note:
Are people scared to come to New Orleans or what? I know we got a lot of underground hip hop heads here, so I'm confused why so many acts give us the cold shoulder on the tour schedule.

At least we can see Better than Ezra anytime we want - ponder that.

no one comes to providence anymore either. dont feel so bad.

Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:40 pm

mancabbage

Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 9267
Location: london

cannot wait, brother ali could release a record of fart sounds and i'd pre order it, here's the album art if anyone hasn't seen it

Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:43 pm

Psycho-78

Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 966
Location: ...from parts unknown

The Count wrote: I'll definitely hit this up at the cradle in carborro.

Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:10 pm

Atreyu

Joined: 31 Dec 2002
Posts: 628
Location: Gilberts, IL

mancabbage wrote: brother ali could release a record of fart sounds and i'd pre order it

hahahaha

Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:35 pm

AdamBomb

Joined: 05 Mar 2004
Posts: 3183
Location: Louisiana

Travadone wrote:

AdamBomb wrote: Pumped about this LP. Ali has been consistently good on all his releases.

Side note:
Are people scared to come to New Orleans or what? I know we got a lot of underground hip hop heads here, so I'm confused why so many acts give us the cold shoulder on the tour schedule.

At least we can see Better than Ezra anytime we want - ponder that.

no one comes to providence anymore either. dont feel so bad.

I suppose you could at least drive to Northampton (what is that, an hour and a half?). Sucks, but still doable. The closest to me would be Houston, which is 6 hours away. That's just far enough to require getting a hotel. So the cost of ticket + gas + hotel = not gonna happen.

I see Ali is going from Houston to Orlando. How about you stop over here and I'll give you the money I would have had to spend on a hotel and gas to go to Houston?

For living in a supposed Mecca of music and culture, we get dick for most of the acts I want to see.

Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:50 pm

CriticalTheory_Breakfast

Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Posts: 1411
Location: NYC/Rochester

Join the "nobody comes where I live" club. Upstate NY might as well not even exist while artists are planning their tours. Did they leave their coffee mug on that part of the map and forgot there was a place under it?